VACANCY: Director of Property (full-time)

The Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh is seeking to appoint a Director of Property to provide management and oversight of all church properties within the Archdiocese and also of Mount Vernon Cemetery.

The role holder should have significant property-related experience with relevant qualifications and training in a related discipline such as surveying, architecture or engineering.

The role is multi-faceted and will be both strategic and hands on. Strong communication skills, organisational skills and initiative will be key to success in the role, as will experience of managing a small team.

To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter detailing how your skills and experience make you suitable for this role to recruitment@staned.org.uk by Thursday 29 June 2023. Interviews are scheduled to take place on Thursday 6 July 2023.

Job details

Location: 100 Strathearn Rd, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB.
Hours: Full time, 35 hours a week, Mon- Fri .
Salary: £45-£48k, dependent on qualifications/experience.

Main purpose and scope of role

• To oversee and manage the fabric of church properties throughout the Archdiocese.
• To oversee management of Mount Vernon Cemetery, Edinburgh.

Line management

• Manager of Mount Vernon Cemetery.
• Gardener/handyman.
• Property Team Administrator.

Key relationships

• Members of the Archdiocesan Curia, especially the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Health & Safety Coordinator, and the Director of Finance.
• Parish Priests and parish fabric committees.
• Architects, engineers, contractors, and utilities.
• Trustees.
• Government officials (councils, Historic Environment Scotland).

Key responsibilities

Parishes

• Oversee all properties and prepare plan for vacant buildings, either to sell or utilise, working with COO and Trustees.
• Promote, encourage, and assist parishes with carrying out regular maintenance of all properties.
• Ensure that parish buildings meet insurance, compliance and other legal requirements, through conducting annual reports on compliance, arranging for training, and related tasks, together with Health & Safety Coordinator.
• Inform/consult Trustees about major developments regarding properties.
• Assist Parish Priests in submitting major property projects to the Finance Committee and to the Trustees for approval.
• Serve as resource person for Parish Priests and parish fabric committees.
• Organise deanery meetings to assist parishes and inform them of property issues.
• Organise quinquennial surveys for all property and prepare priority forward plan for expenditure.
• Oversee updating of database and files on all properties.
• Send reminders and provide assistance with parish inventories when priests are moved.

Leased Properties

• Oversee property agents for Archdiocesan residential and commercial leased properties.
• Inform Trustees of major developments regarding leased properties.
• Approve maintenance under £1,000 for Archdiocesan properties.
• Present larger maintenance and upgrading needs to COO and Director of Finance for Archdiocesan properties.
• Serve as liaison between managing agencies and Parish Priests for leased properties belonging to parishes.
• Engage with solicitors as needed on commercial leases, especially on new leases and variations on existing leases.

Sales

• Oversee process of selling properties as approved by trustees.
• Work with estate agents, solicitors, trustees, and parishes to carry out sales.

Gillis Centre, Edinburgh

• Arrange periodic inspection of the Gillis Centre building for maintenance issues.
• Arrange for architects and contractors as needed.
• Prepare project list for major maintenance for review and approval by Property Review Committee and Trustees for projects over £20,000.
• Approve minor maintenance after consulting with Chief Operating Officer and Director of Finance.
• Propose creative uses for unused parts of the property.

Mount Vernon Cemetery, Edinburgh     

• Line Manager for the Manager of the cemetery.
• Approve expenses over £3,000.
• Approve Cemetery budget.

Other property work or projects

• Annual insurance renewal updates on buildings and other property.
• Annual response to auditors’ requests for property-related information.
• Annual preparation of budget for Gillis Centre property and for leased properties.
• Organise and prepare agenda and materials for Property Review Committee meetings.
• Prepare updates and project applications from parishes for Trustee meetings.
• Oversee care for heritage assets, including loan agreements with museums, libraries, etc.
• Registration of properties with the Registers of Scotland (one off project).
• Oversee property archives and respond to requests.
• Attend bi-annual insurance conferences and Scottish Inter-diocesan Property Group meetings.

Qualifications/Knowledge:

• Degree or relevant qualification in building surveying, engineering, architecture or property/construction-related field.

Experience:

• Experience in property management, repairs and improvement works.
• Experience with complex historic and listed buildings and an interest in church buildings would be desirable.
• Experience in project management and administration.
• Experience in construction.
• Experience in line management.

Skills & Ability:

• Excellent communication skills, both spoken and written.
• Good organisational skills with the ability to organise complex tasks.
• Able to use Microsoft tools, including Outlook, Word and Excel.
• Ability to work on own initiative and to take responsibility.
• Trustworthy and discrete with experience of handling confidential information.
• An empathy for the work of the Catholic Church.
• Valid driving license and access to own vehicle.